New York Archives - State of the Planet

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New Podcast Episode: New York’s Pathway to Decarbonization

As the Cuomo administration emerges from the hardest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, questions remain as to how the state plans to achieve its ambitious decarbonization goals.

Trip to the Catskills Teaches Students About NYC’s Water Supply

The visit revealed how collaborative efforts help to ensure the city receives high quality water with low treatment costs, while providing local jobs.

by Charlotte Munson, Stephanie Main and Lauren Ritchie |November 22, 2019

Speaker Series Guest Discusses Green Solutions

During her talk, Margaret Oloriz from Arcadis shared her experiences and knowledge in designing green infrastructure solutions to serve local communities.

by Minji Ko |November 21, 2019
A DSNY spreader is loaded with salt at one of the city's 42 salt sheds.

Cutting the Salt in Winter Road Maintenance

As the capital and environmental costs of road salt continue to mount, has the time come to ask whether we’re putting too much of it on our streets?

by |December 13, 2018
Road Salt Runoff Stains

How Road Salt Harms the Environment

Recent research indicates that salt is accumulating in the environment and poses an emerging threat both to ecosystems and human health.

by |December 11, 2018

Understanding Climate Change: Long Beach New York, Post-Sandy

People in Long Beach have experienced the impact of climate change and are doing what they can to prepare for future floods. Sandy changed local attitudes toward measures designed to build climate resilience.

by |August 13, 2018
Photo of Ramapough campe

Proposed Pipelines Could Threaten Water Supply for NYC and Indigenous Groups

Similar to Standing Rock, a battle for clean energy and water rages on in our own backyard, but few in New York City seem to notice.

by |April 5, 2018

New York’s Waterways Are Swimming in Plastic Microbeads

Plastic microbeads, common in soap, toothpaste and other consumer products, are flooding waters. A team from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is doing the first large-scale assessment of their impact on New York’s waterways.

by |August 16, 2017

Replacing the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant with Energy Efficiency

Many people who are concerned about fossil fuels and climate change argue for nuclear power as a viable solution to carbon pollution. I am not one of those people.

by |March 6, 2017

How Climate Change Affects New York’s Plants and Animals

Climate change is already affecting New York, and these changes will have profound effects on its ecosystems, plants and animals. What are the implications of these projected changes?

by |January 6, 2017